Joleen Shurtleff Willey

Our Angel Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma Joleen Shurtleff Willey passed away December 22, 2025.

Joleen was born on November 14, 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah to loving parents, Horace Walter and Gwendolyn Edwards Shurtleff. Her mother chose her name from the society page.

She graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City in 1947. She also attended the University of Utah and the College of the Desert in Palm Springs, California.

It was at the “U” that she met her husband, Don Willey. They were married on her 21st birthday in 1950. The marriage was later solemnized in the Bountiful Temple. Don passed away on January 10, 2010 after 59 years of marriage.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ was very important to Joleen. She loved the Savior. She was very active throughout her adult life, serving in the Relief Society as a teacher, visiting teacher, secretary, counselor and president.

Joleen enjoyed creative writing and produced a newsletter for the Meadow Road community in Moose, Wyoming. For years she wrote the Christmas choir programs in her ward. Many poems and histories are treasured writings to her loved ones. She was an excellent seamstress sewing dresses for daughters and herself. In her later years, she taught herself to crochet and shared her beautiful creations with her grandchildren whom she adored. Our mom was a dedicated shopper!

Joleen’s main focus was always first as a wife, mother and grandmother. She loving gave her time and heart to her family. She was our anchor. Together, our parents built our family cabin in Moose, Wyoming. It has been a treasure for each of us at the base of the Tetons.

Her daughter Shawna Romera passed away in 2020 followed by her grandson Jordan and sisters Patti Grant and Judy Reese. She is survived by her children: Duff and Lori Willey and Susie and Kirk Heaton. Also surviving are 10 wonderful grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, special nieces and nephews including Pam Britt and her family and a choice son, Dave and Janice Nelson

We wish to give special thanks to Visiting Angels, Lorrie and Bertha, Renew Hospice, Austin and Hailey for their loving care.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 27th at 11:00am at Moss Hill Ward Building, 455 South 1200 East, Bountiful, Utah with a viewing from 10:00 to 10:45am. A viewing will be held Friday evening at the same building from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

Those wishing to view the service can click the "Watch Service" button or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83849793437